Opinions on Bilstein 5100 to 2015, DBL Cab, 4x4

I'm doing some research before I spend some dough...

- What's a good ball park for the install of Bilstein 5100 shocks(labor+materials)?
- What's the impact to the steering performance?
- How much height can I get before changing any other components?
- Are there any other brands or configurations to consider.

End goals:
- Level
- Bigger Tires
- Improve handling

Thanks in advance for helping a noob!

 

Interested in hearing answers to this question. Trying to figure out the same. Although I would likely do the install myself.

 

In all honesty depends on what you are doing with the truck. I have 5100's all around set to the middle setting. There is 1" difference between front and rear. They are rough riding for my taste. I have 285/70-17 on TRD Rock Warrior wheels and they look perfect to me. I'm looking at other options tho for shocks as these are rougher than what was on my Titan at the same settings.

 

5100s have 3x height settings.
87″, 1.57″, and 2.28″. I have mine at the top and wish I had done middle. A little too level for my liking. Rear 5100s are only 1 height. Some people add shackles to their leaf springs to add height in the rear. I run 285/75/17 on Rock Warrior wheels currently but could easily go bigger. There is a lot of room left.
Ride is nice and I am very happy overall. Price was affordable and I am not super hard on my truck so don’t need a $3500 setup.
No complaints!

 

5100s should not be considered a performance shock by any stretch. If you want the best ride for the least money, get the 6112/5160 combo. They're adjustable and offer better damping than the skinny 5100.... Yes, I have them installed but that's because the oem shocks were busted and I'm saving up.

If you dont do more than mall crawling, 5100s are enough.

 

Are the 6112/5160 also a bilstein shock? Are they smoother riding? Most of my driving will be on the pavement but I don't want to reduce the off road ability of the truck. Kinda seems like the last thing a lift should do. I've lifted most trucks I've owned but I'm new the 2nd/3rd gen Tundras. I'm thinking I'd like about 2" in front and 1" in the back. Keep a little take to have some room to squat while loaded or towing but be a little more level when empty.

 

Yes Bilstein and yes better. 5100 is an upgrade over stock. 6112 is even better

 

Ya just checked the price on the 6112/5160 combo. That's a lot more $$$ than 5100. $1000 vs $400. Ya? Is it that much better?

 

Welcome from Gettysburg address.... They say. Pay once, Cry once... Done!..... Next mod.

 

6112 can be ordered with springs already mounted. Can save you some $$ on install that way. I think it really depends on budget and what you want to use your truck for. Personally, my truck goes into 4wd when/if it snows or when I’m in mud near the Lake with the boat. Rarely do anything like trails. 5100s are great for me.

 

A lot of people do spacers on stock suspension to level their trucks and are happy with that also. I prefer the Bilstein 5100s but to each their own.

 

I've been reading the installation instructions and they sound a bit complicated but then again I'm a novice mechanic. Experience is in oil changes, radiators, water pumps, and brakes.

A buddy told me we could do it at his house and it would only take a day. I'll post on the route that I take

 

The current ride is comfortable but on turns I can feel the whole truck lean so I'm hoping there's improvement there. I'm also looking at the Fox 2.0 performance coil overs, a little more in price but I plan on doing it all in stages.

 

In addition to the 5100's, I was told I could do a body mount chop which would allow me to use 295/70R20 on 20" rims. I use the truck to travel around OK, LA and TX. Mostly highway but it does include 15-20% off road/oil field travel. This type of feedback is awesome. Thanks!

 

I had to do the TRD sway bars front and rear to fix the body roll. The 5100's didn't help that at all for me. I'm really looking into the Falcon shocks. But at 1500 bucks and you have to use the factory spring still I think is kind of expensive. Procomp has a 2.5" resi pro runner coilover that looks nice too.

 

You gonna need a lot more chopping than just the body mount to fit 36" tires.

I know a guy here fit 37's without a great deal of mods...

https://www.tundras.com/threads/if-you-give-a-mouse-a-cookie.77279/#post-1961559

 

I don't believe the tire that was recommended is a 36", I was told the 295/70R20 is a 33" but I'll confirm that info before making a decision.

 

Looked at the 6112/5160 and agreed with my mechanic that it's overkill for my needs. daily driver city/highway and the occassional dirt road rarely. The labor for the 5100 are about $400 all around and labor $400. You'll need an alignment after the shocks are installed so another $100-150. Call it $950-1000ish all in.

These youtube videos were helpful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjpM2-vysr0&ab_channel=ShockSurplus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH-cVXSJT5I&ab_channel=ShockSurplus

 

So there was a change in ride quality by just putting leveling kit?

 

Yes with the 5100's there was. Just a puck spacer will ride as stock. 5100's r stiffer and adds spring preload to lift.

 

which level of the 5100 were you at (low, med, highest)? I’m not familiar with a pick spacer? What’s this and what’s it do?

 

I'm on the Middle Setting.

This is a spacer lift.